1. Melo is not a substantial overall upgrade over Gallo. He scores more points, but to a large extent he scores more because he shoots more (some bad shots) and it results in a much lower efficiency and a minimal overall benefit.

2. Billups is not a substantial overall upgrade from Felton (at least not at age 34).

3. Because we also gave up Chandler we weakened our bench and defense enough that the overall short term benefit of the trade was minimal. If the Knicks were a 43-44 win team before the trade, they are a 47-48 win team now at best.

4. If the Knicks would have waited until next year, the gradual improvement by Gallo and Chandler would have made the team close to 47-48 win team next year anyway. Plus they still would have Randolph, Mozgov, and the draft picks for further developmental upside. They would also still have Eddy Curry's cap space to either resign Chandler and another player or to bring in a max player that actually fits and benefit the team a lot (like a C).

5. As things stand now, the team has fewer assets, much less developmental upside, and less cap space. Sure, players will be added next year and the team will get better, but this team has even more holes now than it did before the trade because the bench is weaker. The Knicks simply don't have the space and assets to fill all those holes now or ever because they have 2 max contract players that are not great all around players. One is a great scorer, the other is a volume scorer, and neither are very good defenders or more than average at many other things.

6. The upside for this team is a perennial playoff team that's good enough to potentially upset somebody good someday in the playoffs, but that will probably never get out of the second and will certainly NEVER win a championship.

When the team rebuilds again in 2016 can we at least show some patience this time and build with a blend of young players, draft picks, FAs, prudent use of cap space, smart trades etc... and stop giving away young talent and picks to get cap space faster for pipe dream signings or overpaid and overrated prima donnas. I'm tired of short term thinking.

I agree with all your other points. Value, Gallinari beats Melo any day. Per dollar, Gallinari is a much better bucket dropper than Melo. Melo is a team cancer.

But its a story already done.

Things are not going well, but this team is by no chance playing to its capability. So don't sell low, wait for the team to play like they really can. Will it be with this coach, that remains to be seen.

We started 3-8 this year. With the new team we are 7-7, and that includes 6 or 7 games without Billups. As long as we start showing more consistent EFFORT we'll be ok and won't have to wait until 2016 for a contender. I know it's hard, but patience is needed. We will be jsut fine.

CashMoney wrote:

MSG3 wrote:I'm dissapointed with results since the Melo trade also, but some of the people here are nuts to give up on a team with 3 stars this early. And to say that Billups is not too much of an upgrade over Felton is not the case in my opinion. His bball IQ alone is an upgrade, not to mention his experience.

We started 3-8 this year. With the new team we are 7-7, and that includes 6 or 7 games without Billups. As long as we start showing more consistent EFFORT we'll be ok and won't have to wait until 2016 for a contender. I know it's hard, but patience is needed. We will be jsut fine.

It's funny how many were willing to be patient with Gallo and Chandler on the team but add Melo and all hope is gone.

NY is not patient hence gallo/chandler gone and now the melo drama :)

CashMoney wrote:

MSG3 wrote:I'm dissapointed with results since the Melo trade also, but some of the people here are nuts to give up on a team with 3 stars this early. And to say that Billups is not too much of an upgrade over Felton is not the case in my opinion. His bball IQ alone is an upgrade, not to mention his experience.

We started 3-8 this year. With the new team we are 7-7, and that includes 6 or 7 games without Billups. As long as we start showing more consistent EFFORT we'll be ok and won't have to wait until 2016 for a contender. I know it's hard, but patience is needed. We will be jsut fine.

It's funny how many were willing to be patient with Gallo and Chandler on the team but add Melo and all hope is gone.

it took the Miami Heat about 2 months before they fully hit their stride & that was with a full summer & training camp practicing together getting to learn the system & each other... Knick fans want instant results after 2 weeks & a couple practices.

Harmony

Balance

Team Assists

Sincere effort

Manning up after tough losses

Poise in clutch situations

An emotional connection

Dee-fense

And a reason to get excited